Baltimore’s artistic community keeps our city vibrant and creative with art and performances that can inspire, uplift and spark community change. Like many others at this time, our artistic community is experiencing a devastating economic impact due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) crisis. As Baltimore’s Arts Council, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts is  committed to providing necessary economic support and guidance to artists, especially in times like these. As we look toward recovery, we will need our artists’ creativity and commitment to keep us moving forward.

The Baltimore Artist Emergency Relief Fund is a coalition-led initiative designed to provide direct assistance to Baltimore-based artists and creative entrepreneurs who have lost income due to the COVID-19 crisis.  

Inspired by the generosity of artist-led relief efforts in Baltimore and across the country, this fund was developed through a partnership between 20 artists and arts organizers committed to working together for the collective good of the Baltimore creative community, and is made possible by administrative and funding support from T. Rowe Price Foundation, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, Maryland State Arts Council, Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, France-Merrick Foundation, Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, Grit Fund and Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network.

As the Fund’s fiduciary agent, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts will distribute one-time $500 grants to individual artists who demonstrate an emergency financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Artists of any discipline and creative entrepreneurs over the age of 18 who reside in the City of Baltimore are eligible to apply. Only one grant application per person will be accepted. Grant funds are solely intended for use by the grantee and may not be transferred or re-granted.  Although applicants can apply on a rolling basis, the funds are limited, and grants are made based on the availability of funding.

The application and detailed criteria are available here.

Applicants who do not have access to the internet can also mail in applications to: The Cloisters, Attention: Jocquelyn Downs, 10440 Falls Rd. Lutherville, MD 21093

Please call 410-752-8632 with any questions about the application.

For individuals and organizations considering supporting this effort, help at any level is greatly appreciated and donations are accepted here. The coalition has a fundraising goal of $125,000. Supporting the Baltimore Artist Emergency Relief Fund helps ensure the livelihood and well-being of the artists whose work and creativity strengthen Baltimore City.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Baltimore City Health Department website: health.baltimorecity.gov/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov.

Inspired by the generosity of artist-led relief efforts in Baltimore and across the country, the coalition of partners who answered the call to action to create the fund are: Elaine Asal, Station North Arts & Entertainment District; Emily Breiter, Bromo Arts District; Sharayna Christmas, Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network, Muse 360 Arts, Necessary Tomorrows; Nicholas Cohen, Maryland Citizens for the Arts; Andy Cook, Made in Baltimore; Jocquelyn Downs, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts; Donna Drew-Sawyer, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts; Michelle Geiss, Impact Hub Baltimore; Brion Gill, Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts and Entertainment District; Marian Glebes, Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Neighborhood Design Center; Samuel Hoi, Maryland Institute College of Art; Will Holman, Open Works; Adam Holofcener, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts; Jeannie L. Howe, Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance; Mia Jones, Invisible Majority; Alanah Nichole, Alanah’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund For Artists & Freelancers; Derek Price, Eubie Blake Jazz & Cultural Center; Andrew Simonet, Artists U; Maggie Villegas, Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network; Olu Butterfly Woods, DewMore.

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